# Why are there so many AI images of Jesus on social media?

> With the advent of AI generated images on the web, social media users may have noticed a new trend: many generated images of Jesus appearing on Facebook.

By Jonathan Foye · 2 April 2024 · Reviews / Culture

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/why-are-there-so-many-ai-images-of-jesus-on-social-media/

With the advent of AI generated images on the web, social media users may have noticed a new trend: many generated images of Jesus appearing on Facebook.

The AI images of Jesus that have flooded the platform depict Him in various unusual ways.

In a preprint paper about the phenomenon from Stamford University, academics Renee DiResta and Josh A. Goldstein observe there is a link between the images and a number of online scams.

*[The] capacity to produce captivating, novel, and immersive imagery, cheaply and instantly, and to immediately double down on wins that generate significant engagement, is … what makes the technology appealing to spammers and scammers.*

![](https://www.insights.uca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tumblr_a5f1319a29898ca0a334c5146944e9e7_58a85619_1280.jpg)

*As* Ryan Broderick wrote in *Garbage Day*, the number of people writing ‘Amen’ in response to these posts is increasing:

*As I* [*wrote in October*](https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/xWvyCp8AEgInX6P8iqEAag?domain=modernrelics.email)*, The “Amen” comment is a new growth hack on Facebook. You get people to say “Amen,” underneath a post, the post gets recommended to others, who say “Amen,” as well, etc. This is especially powerful on the platform right now because as news has been deprioritised on the platform, a lot more religious content has bubbled to the surface.*

As *Modern Relics*’ Rohan Salmond writes, the phenomenon is likely a result of bots programed to farm engagement.

“My own theory is there’s a bunch of bots and hijacked accounts posting “Amen” below religious-themed Facebook content, which then encourages actual religious people to post “Amen” as well,” he wrote in his latest edition.

*For more on unusual internet trends and faith, visit Modern Relics* [***here***](https://www.modernrelics.email/?ref=modern-relics-newsletter)*.*